What's available in Bexley?
There are many sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services available to people living in Bexley.
Please visit the links below to find out what services are offered, for whom, and where:
Who is it for?
Anyone aged 16+ who is living in Bexley (or other London boroughs).
What do they offer?
Sexual Health London (SHL.UK) is a free and discreet online testing service. They provide free STI testing, for people who have mild or no symptoms, and would like to get themselves checked.
The service can test for sexually transmitted infections including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, via samples you can collect at home.
SHL also provide free regular and emergency contraception, including:
- The combined pill
- The contraceptive ring
- The contraceptive patch
- The progestogen-only pill
- The emergency contraceptive pill
How does it work?
- Patients complete a short online consultation via SHL.
- Orders are assessed by SHL the same day, and patients will receive their free self-sampling test kit (and/or contraception) quickly and discreetly.
- For STI testing, patients take their own samples, following instructions provided in the kit. Instructional videos are also available online. Kits are free to return and come in pre-paid, pre-stamped boxes which will fit in a typical postbox.
- Patients will receive their STI testing results via text or email, including instructions for how and where they can access treatment, if required.
Who is it for?
Young people aged 14-24 years
What does it offer?
Free condoms, lubricant and sexual health information
How does it work?
The C-Card (or "Come Correct") scheme is a free, confidential service that aims to promote sexual health and well-being among young people by making contraception and advice readily available.
Once a young person signs up for the scheme, they can present their C-Card and collect free condoms from a variety of outlets in Bexley, or any other participating borough in London.
Outlets can be any professional or place which young people might visit - including primary care services, youth clubs, shops and libraries - and which has been trained by their borough's C-Card coordinator*.
Young people can sign up:
- In-person at a trained outlet (14+ years old)
- Online (16+ years old) via the Come Correct website
- If registering online, young people can choose a digital or physical C-Card
*The C-Card Scheme in Bexley is coordinated by Sexual Health Bexley, the local community outreach service. If your organisation is interested in joining the C-Card Scheme, please email bromh.sexualhealthbexley@nhs.net.
Who is it for?
All Bexley residents, especially those facing increased risk or reduced access regarding their sexual health.
What does it offer?
Sexual Health Bexley is an all-age, community-based outreach service focused on improving sexual health for under-served communities in Bexley.
The outreach team provide:
- A local drop-in service where residents can seek free sexual health advice and resources
- Free condoms and STI testing kits for high-risk individuals and communities
- Health promotion and educational sessions for community groups (all ages), schools and colleges
- Sexual health campaigns
- LGBTQ+ and trans, non-binary and intersex (TNBI) support groups
- Administration of the Sexual Health Bexley website (this website)
- Training for professionals
Sexual Health Bexley is delivered by Bromley Healthcare.
How does it work?
Residents can visit the local drop-in service, or might engage with the outreach team through activities organised by a service or setting they already attend (e.g. a local community group).
Professionals who want to...
- Arrange outreach activity or staff training
- Refer a young person to the LGBTQ+ or TNBI support groups
- Include the SRH services which their organisation provides on the Sexual Health Bexley website
...can contact the outreach team via bromh.sexualhealthbexley@nhs.net.
Who is it for?
All Bexley residents.
What does it offer?
Most GPs in Bexley can provide the following to registered patients:
- Emergency contraceptive pill
- Routine contraception (e.g. pills, patch, ring)
- Long-acting reversible contraception (injection, coils, implants)
- Information and advice about different contraception methods, and referral to services where these are available, if not offered by your GP
- Cervical screening testing and referral
- Pregnancy testing and referral
- Sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for people without symptoms
- Assessment and referral of symptoms which may be caused by sexually transmitted infections.
Some GPs are also part of Bexley's enhanced sexual health scheme. This means that they offer testing for STIs to people who have no symptoms, even if they are not registered as a patient.
You can find a list of which GPs offer this service via the GPs and sexual health page.
How does it work?
Patients can book an appointment with their local GP for any of the above services, or can visit the websites of the GPs offering the enhanced sexual health scheme to find out how to access STI testing.
Who is it for?
All Bexley residents.
What does it offer?
Many pharmacies in Bexley offer the following services:
- Emergency contraceptive pill
- Routine contraceptive pills
- Free condoms for Under 25s (as part of the C-Card Scheme)
- Chlamydia treatment
The list of pharmacies which offer these services can be found on our Pharmacies and sexual health page.
How does it work?
Patients can visit their local pharmacy and ask the pharmacist for the above services.
It's strongly recommended that patients contact the pharmacy before they visit, to check that the service they need will be available when they intend to visit.
Who is it for?
All Bexley residents (and people living outside of Bexley).
What does it offer?
Sexual health clinics are free, confidential, non-judgemental services where you can access support and care for your sexual health. People of all ages can attend sexual health clinics, including people who are under 16.
You do not need to register with a clinic to use it, and people living in Bexley can use any clinic in England.
There are a number of sexual health clinics either in, or near to Bexley. Please visit our Find a Clinic page for up to date information about clinic locations, opening times and specific services.
How does it work?
Some clinics require you to book an appointment, and some offer walk-in services (where you can just turn up). Our Find a Clinic page provides details of how to access different clinics in the local area.